24 August 2009

Council Considers Options For Accent Point

A need to improve access and ease of use for patrons of Papakura’s Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum and Sir Edmund Hillary Library at Accent Point is driving moves by Papakura District Council to develop options for the mall.

Mayor Calum Penrose says with the Museum and Library currently on the top level of Accent Point, there are issues of access and safety, especially for older people. Access is by either escalator or elevator, with car parking on lower levels requiring people to use an elevator or stairs to reach the third floor before proceeding to the fourth.

With little retail activity remaining on the third floor, many who use the fourth floor also feel unsafe walking through the street level.

“Additionally, we want to upgrade the Library to meet regional library standards. The needs we have identified have led us to investigate options for the building and we are in discussion with the building owners.”

Options to relocate the Library and Museum to the third floor are among those being considered.

“Any change we might make is subject to due diligence on the costs and building suitability. We would also need to get the approval of the Auckland Transition Agency but the concept of bringing our facilities down to street level would make access much easier for users and would add some much needed life to that floor.”

ENDS

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